Arrest made for dumping textbooks

Giyani – A clerk accused of dumping 700 textbooks meant for Limpopo pupils will appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The 44 year-old clerk, who works in the Education Department’s Giyani regional office, was arrested on Monday morning.

He is accused of dumping textbooks meant for Grade 3 and 8 pupils.

“The arrest comes after the Education Department laid charges of malicious damage to property with the police. Our investigation led us to the suspect,” said Limpopo provincial police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Mulaudzi said members of the public alerted the Education Department after finding the textbooks dumped near a river in Giyani.

“The books were Mathematics for Grade 8 and Numeracy in Sepedi for Grade 3,” he said.

National education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the arrest.

“We welcome the arrest of the clerk; this is an indication that the minister is concerned about the dumping of textbooks and wants all those involved in the dumping of textbooks to be brought to account,” said Lesufi.

The police expect to make more arrests.

“We are hoping that more suspects will be arrested on the issue of textbooks, and we are continuing with our investigations,” said Mulaudzi. – SAnews.gov.za